Last Updated: May 2
Category: General News
Last summer’s record breaking rainfall and severe flooding has overshadowed the fact that some areas of the UK are now drier than some countries in the Middle East. This scarcity of supply will lead to upward pressure on prices.
Water costs can be equal to as much as 1% of a businesses turnover, particularly when hidden costs such as heating, pumping and treatment are considered. By implementing no cost and low cost measures, it is possible for a site that has not considered its water use before to make savings of up to 30% of its water and effluent bills. Some suggestions to save money and water include:
- Regularly inspect pipes, joints, valves, taps, seals and cisterns for leakage. A tap dripping two drops a second could waste nearly 10,000 litres of water in a year.
- Convert to push button taps to provide an automatic cut off. This can reduce water use by 50%.
- Monitor water use during the non use of the building, as there have been many cases where leaks have remained undetected.
- Install ‘Hippo’ bags in all toilet cisterns. These, or other similar devices, reduce the amount of water per flush by around 15%.
Businesses should also consider technologies such as rainwater harvesting equipment, which can have payback periods of as little as three years. The water used in industry is often treated to drinking water standards, an unnecessarily high standard for many of the uses it is put to, such as vehicle washing or toilet flushing.
Technologies such as these are listed on the Water Technology List as part of the Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme, which entitles businesses to claim 100% first year capital allowances. For further information please see www.eca-water.gov.uk Businesses are now able to write off the whole cost of their investment against their taxable profits of the period during which they make the investment.
For further information on how you can cut your water use, visit Envirowise or ask for a copy of the GBN’s environmental toolkit.
